Drop pit



June 14, 1927;

A. L. WALTER DROP PIT Filed March 31. 1926 4 Sheets-Shst 1 14. June 1927 A. L. WALTER 1632'256 PPPPP IT Filed March 51. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mwrm June 14, 1927.

A. L. WALTER DROP Pm;

Filed March 31 1926 4 Shoots-Sheet 5 ill -7// I Patented June 14, 1927..

UNITED 'S TATES P ATE N T O' F F ICE. V

ARTHUR L. WALTER, or c-nroneo, runners, searches are wn rrr ve oon'ronarron; or HARVEY, rumors, a CORPORATION or rumors.

praor 1 11'.

Application filed March 31, 1926. serial No. 98,861.

The invention relates to drop pits of the type used in removing and'replacing locomotive wheels and transferring them to a track from which theymay be delivered to a suitable place where work is to be performed on them.

In the operation of drop pits, it has been the practice to employ a cross-pit, which extends under or intersects two or more tracks, and drop-tables with track sections thereon bridging the top of thepit, and to transfer the table across the. pit from one track to another, so a pair of wheels, removed froma locomotive, on one track and on the table maybe transterred to another track so the wheels may be runoff to the desired place, and, may be replaced by reverse operation. Heretofore, it has been necessary to omit or remove one drop table with its track sections, to permit the table, with the wheels thereon removed from the locomotive, to be lifted into position topermit the wheels to be run off one of the vacant tracks. This was objectionable, because it left the pit open or unbridged while the wheels were being removed and replaced and were being transferred between the vacant track and the track occupied by the locomotive.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved equipment, by which the pit will be kept closed or bridged by a table or tables at substantially all times, so the tracks may be used at substantially all times, and to avoid the openings in the pit at the track level. This object is attained primarily by providing a drop table for each track, bridging the pit, and means for raising the drop table at points where the wheels are to be loaded onto, or removed from, a table at a vacant track, and by lowering the elevated track back into its position at the track level whenthe wheels have been transferred to or from the table being used for that purpose.

Another object of the invention is to proride the drop-table with means for automatically indicating when it is locked in the pit, so that the operators can readily (llf-CQID whether or not it is lockeda'nd will refrain from running or placing a load thereon until it is locked.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detail description.

v The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

ceive or unload a pair of wheels. Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the drop-tables. Fig. 5 is a perspective of a portio'n of the drop-pit anda track. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the pit and the table-transporting truck. Fig. (is a side elevation in its lowered position in the pit and another table in locked position at the top of the f pit. Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the drop-table on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

The invention is exemplified in an equipment, usually in a roundhous'e, comprising tracks A, B and C, under which is formed an intersecting pit E. For each-trackjthere is provided a drop-table F, to which is secured a pair of rail-sections f which bridge the pit while the table is locked across the track. Each table, with its track sections, is vertically movable into and out of, and;around, the pit, to transfer wheels from alocomotiveon one track to another track and vice versa While the invention is illustrated with a drop-ipit and three tracks, it will be understood that it is applicable to any desired number.

Each drop-table is built 'up of 'channel beams f which are secured togetherito form a rigid rectangular structure, and Lbeams f which have their ends fixed to the beams f forming theends'of the table, andare dis posed under the rail-sections f to support them. 'Each table is adapted to be locked in position to support and retain 'the rail- "sections f thereonin registry with th eends of the rails otya track, terminating at the .pi t-sides, so that Wheels or locon'iotives may be operated on the track and over pit E. .The locking mechamsmcomprises 'fonr bars f which are vertically aligned with the rail section's f, and are each slidably guided in blocks f which are fixedly secured between a pair of I-beains F. The outer ends of the locking-bars are adapted to project from the ends of the table into verti 'cally extending slots or pockets 10 which shaft 12 which extends longitudinally of the pit and is jonrnalled in a bearing 13 fixed to one of the beams f and a bearing 14: fixed to one of the beams i and extends through'the intermediate beams P, a pair of levers 15, each provided with oppositely ex tending arms, and links 16 pivoted to said arms and to the locking bars f respectively by pivots 17 which extend through slots 18 in the adjacent beams An operatinglever 19 for said bars is fixed to rockshaft 12 adJacent one side of the table.

This lever comprises portions which are angular relatively to each other, and the outer portion is provided with a target 20.

'lVhen the drop table is locked, so that Wheels or a locomotive may safely run over it, the target will be lowered and in a subserved. SfllCl. lever will be in position indicated in stant-ially horizontal position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, where it will be unob- When the drop-table is unlocked,

Fig. 4, so thatthetarget will be raised above the tableand substantially vertical so it will be clearly visible as a warning signal, that the table is unlocked, This exemplifies means for clearly indicating whether the drop-table is locked or unlocked The outer end of each locking-bar f is provided with a tooth 7'' adapted to enter the notch in the lower end of slot 10 to prevent the drop-table from being unlocked until it has "been lifted a sufficient distance to permit for propelling it.

the tooth f to clear the notch. This prevents the drop-table fron'i being unlocked, except when the lifting carriage hereinafter described, is beneath it. 1

A truck G, for transporting the droptable around the pit and between the tracks,

as well understood in the art, comprises a frame g which is equipped with wheels 7 adapted to travel on rails g at the bottom of the pit. This truck may be of'any suit able construction and may be equipped with hand or power-operated mechanism The truck is equipped with a vertically movable carriage H for raising and lowering the drop-tables. prises a frame composed of longitudinal beams 71, and transverse beams it, all of which are rigidly secured together to form a rigid structure. This carriage is supported by screw-threaded rods 9 the lower ends of which are fixed to the frame 9 of adapted to receive a strut-ind 8.

This carriage COlIlthe truck. The screw-threads oni'ods are threaded to the hubs of worn'i-gears 1 2 which are confined in sectional housings 7r fixed to the frame of carriage H, so that by conjoint rotation of these wheels, the carriage H and its load will be raised or lowered in the pit. Mechanism for rotating the gears 71/ to shift the carriage H, is mounted on said carriage and comprises an electric motor h which is'fixed to cross-beams h; a pinion its on the shaft of said motor; a gear k meshing with pinion 7L and fixed to a cross-shaft 72 bevelled I l/ fixed to shaft k bevelled gears 7L driven by gears 71, and fixed to longitudinal shafts k and worms 72, fixed to the ends of shaft and meshing with worm-wheels 7&2 on one of the screw-posts respectively. When the motor is operated, said gearing will conjointly drive the worm-wheels 72F to bodily raise and lower the carriage H in a rectilinear path. The beams h of the carriage H are adapted to abut against the underside of the beams f of, and to support, the drop-table on the carriage while the latter is being raised and lowered or transported. To guide the drop-table against transverse movement in the pit while it is being raised and lowered, blocks a are fixed to beams e and guide-rails e are embedded in the walls of the pit. Said rails have angled lower ends to transversely position the drop-table when it is being raised from the bottom of the pit.

' Each drop-table is provided on its top and at each of its four corners with a bracket having a socket with an open upper end forii'ied therein and on its bottom with a similar bracket 26 at each of its lower corners having a vertical socket 52? therein with a lower open end. Said sockets are each These struts, when. a drop-table is lowered on the carriage H, are inserted into the top sockets 25 on said drop-table, so their upper ends will be in position. to enter the lower sockets 26 on a drop-table at the top oi the pit. When the carriage H is initially raised, the upper ends of struts 2% will enter sockets 26. Thereafter. the l'urt iei' upward l i movement of the carriage will lift the wheels on the lower table into position t be rolled .onto one of the tracks, and will automatibe run into position to bring said wheels on the drop-table associated with said track. The truck Gwill' then be operated inte position under said drop-table, and the carriage H will be raised suillciently to raise the drop table toperinitthe locking-bars j? to be withdrawn from bracket 11, anaiso that it will be suspended by the carriage and truck. It desirechthe carriage may also be operated to litt the wheels to be renamed, sutticiently to facilitate their disconnection from the locomotive. When the wheels have been disconnected, the carriage H with'the drop table thereon will be lowered to the position shown in Fig. 7. to lower the wheels on the table into the lower portion of the pit where they will clear the locomo tive. Thetruck Gwill then'bc moved into position underthe track 13 orC, according to the one onto which it is desired to'unload the wheels. When the truck "has reached this position, struts 28 will be placed into the sockets 35 on the drop-table on the truck and carriage H will be raised suiticiently to cause the upper ends of the struts to enter soclretsQtS on the drop-table associated with thetraclr or (I. The latter will. then be unlocked. The carriage H will then be raised farther, to raise the droptable carrying the wheels, and struts 28 and the upper droptable together. When the rail-sections f on the lower drop-table pass into alignment with the rails of track B or C, the wheels may be rolled oli the table to the desired place. Carriage H is then lowered until the upper drop-table has been restored to, and locked in, its operative position. The struts 28 are then removed, so thatthe drop-table 011 the carriage H may be again used for transporting loads between the tracks, In replacing a pair of wheels, the drop-table, carried on the truck, is again operated to bring it into position to receive the wheels from one ot the tracks,

and the drop-table for that tack is raised by struts 28, so that the wheels may be run onto the rail-sections on the lower droptable on the truck. The carriage His then lowered until. the upper drop-table has been restored to its operative position and the struts 28 removed. Thereupon, the truck may be transported to bring the wheels into position to be lifted under the locomotive from which they have been removed.

The invention exemplifies an equipment in which the drop-tables with rail-sections thereon across and intersecting the pit may be kept in position to close the pit and render the tracks usable at all times, except while the wheels are being removed from, and placed on, a drop-table for transfer to and from the locomotive. This facilitates the work in handling locomotive-wheels and avoids leaving openings in the pits, which has been found to be objectionable in practices It also exemplifies mechanism by "which the eroptables can be readily relllOVGCl and replaced from their normal positions. It also exemplifies means for indicating whether the di'op-tables areloclred.

The'invention is notto beiinderstood as rrstrictcdto the detzr'ls scttorth, sincethe'se may be modilied'ivithin the scope of the appeirled "claims, without departing trointhe spirit and scope ot the ii'ivention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is:

1. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, oitdroptable's adapted to be lowered into the 'pit,

means for locking the tables at the top of the pit, and raising; and lowering mechanism whereby one of the drop tables may be raised from its locked position and replaced byanother att-hetop of the pit.

2. In an equipment of the character described, the combination witha pit, of drop tables adapted to be lowered into the pit, means for locking the tablesat the top of the pit, a truck for transferring the tables, and raising and lowering mechanism on the truck whereby oneofthe drop table's may "be raised from its locked position 'and replaced by anotheratthe top'ofthe pit.

bridge, and adapted to be lowered into, the

pit, raising and lowering"mechanism, and "means for Iii-ting one drop-table from its track-bridging position to permit another table-inthe pit to be raised into said position.

5. In an equipment of the character described, thecombination with a plurality of tracks, and a cross-pit, of drop tables provided with rail-sections'to bridge, and adapt- I ed to be lowered into, the pit, raising and lowering mechanism on'the'truck, and means for lifting one drop-table from its traele bridging position to permit another table on the truck to be raised into said position.

6. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a plurality of tracks, and a cross-pit, oi drop-tables provided with rail-sections to bridge the pitand adapted to be lowered into the pit with means for locking it at the top of the pit, a

truck in the pit, raising and lowering mechtop of the pit.

8. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, of drop tables adapted to be separately raised and lowered in the pit, a truck in the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism on the truck whereby two of the tables may be shifted together to raise one of them above the top of the pit and another to the top of the pit.

9. In an equipment of the character de scribed, the combination with a pit, of drop tables adapted to be separately raised and lowered in the pit, means for locking the tables at the top of the pit, a truck in the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism on the truck, whereby two of the tables may be shifted together to raise one of them above the top of the pit and another to the top of the pit.

10. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, of droptables adapted to be separately raised and lowered in the pit, means for separately locking the tables at the top of the pit, and

raising and lowering mechanism separable from, and adapted to engage, thetables respectively, and means for simultaneously raising and lowering a second. table with, and in spaced relation from, a table on said mechanism.

11. In an equipment of the character described. the combination with a pit, of droptables adapted to be separately raised and lowered in the pit, means for separately lock ing the tables at the top of the pit, a truck in the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism on the truck separable from, and adapted to engage, the tables respectively, and means for simultaneously raising and lowering a sec- 0nd table with, and. in spaced relation from, a table on said mechanism.

12. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, of droptables adapted to be separately raised and lowered in the pit, means for separately locking the tables at the top of the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism separable from, and adapted to engage, the tables re spectively, and means separable from the table for simultaneously raising and lowering a second table with, and in spaced relation from, a table on said mechanism.

- 13. In an equipment of the character described, the combinationwith tracks and a cross-pit, of drop-tables adapted to be separately raised and lowered into, and provided with rail-sections to bridge the top of, the pit, raising and lowering mechanism separable from, and adapted to engage, the tables respectively, and means for simultaneously raising asecond table with a table on said mechanism.

14. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with tracks and a cross-pit, of drop-tables adapted to be separately raised and lowered into, and provided with rail-sections to bridge the top of, the pit, a truck in the pit, raising and lowering mechanism carried by the truck and separable from, and adapted to engage, the tables respectively, and means for simultaneously raising a second table with a table on. said mechanism;

15. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with tracks and cross-pit, of drop-tables adapted to be separately raised and lowered into, and provided with rail-sections to bridge the top of, the pit, raising and lowering mechanism and separable from. and adapted to engage, the tables respectively, and removable means ior simultaneously raising a second table with a table on said mechanism.

16. In an equipment of the character de-- scribed, the combination with a pit, 0t droptables adapted to be separately lowered into the pit, means for locking the tables at the top of the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism whereby two tables may be simultaneously raised and lowered in spaced relation to lift one above the top of the pit, and one from. the pit to the top and to lower them to bring one from the top of the pit down into it and the other back to the top of the pit.

17. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, of drop tables adapted to be separately lowered into the pit. means torlocking the tables at the topot the pit, a truck in the pit, and raising and lowering mechanism on the truck, whereby two tables may be simultaneously raised and lowered in spaced relation to lift one above the top of the pit and one from the pit to the top, and to lower them to bring one from the top of the pit down into it and the other back to the top of the pit.

18. In an equipment of the character described, the combination of tracks and a cross-pit, of droptables provided with railsections to bridge the pit adapted to be separately lowered into and out of the pit. means for locking the tables at the top of the pit, raising and lowering mechanism whereby two drop-tables may be simultaneously raised and lowered together in spaced relation to elevate one'ttrom its bridg ing position and one in the pit to said position, and to lower the table above the pit to its bridging position and one from bridging position into the pit.

19. In an equipment of the character described, the combination of tracks and a cross pit, of drop-tables provided with railsections to bridge the pit adapted to be separately lowered into and out of the pit, means for locking the tables at the top of the pit, a truck in the pit, raising and lowering mechanism carried by the truck whereby two drop-tables may be simultaneously raised and lowered together in spaced relation to elevate one from its bridging position and one'in the pit to said position, and to lower the table above the pit to its bridging position and one from bridging-position into the pit.

20. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a pit, of droptables adapted to be separately lowered into the pit, raising and lowering mechanism for a table in the pit, and removable struts for connecting two tables, so that they may be simultaneously raised or lowered.

21. In an equipment of the character described, the combination with a plurality of tracks, a cross-pit, of drop-tables adapted to be lowered into the pit and carrying railsections to bridge the pit, a truck in the pit, raising and lowering mechanism for a table in the pit, and removable struts for connecting two tables, so that they may be simultaneously raised or lowered.

22. In an equipment of the character de scribed, the combination with a pit, of a table adapted to bridge the pit and to be lowered therein, raising and lowering mechanism for the table, means for locking the table in its bridged position, a lever mounted on the table for operating said means, said lever extending upwardly and above the table when the means is in its inoperative position, and in substantially the same plane as the table when the means is in itsoperative position, and an indicating device on the lever positioned so as to extend substantially vertical whenthe lever is in its upward position and substantially horizontal when the lever is in its other position.

Signed at Harvey, Illinois, this 10th day of March, 1926.

ARTHUR L. IVALTER. 

